Hawken graduate Peter Harrold is four wins away from some quality time with the Stanley Cup

Imagine this: The Stanley Cup, arguably the world's most famous sports trophy, spending a day in Lake County.

It could happen.

Peter Harrold, a Kirtland Hills native and current New Jersey Devils defenseman, has that opportunity. The Hawken graduate and standout defenseman at Boston College started his NHL career, ironically, with the Los Angeles Kings, the Devils' opponent in the Cup finals, which begin on Wednesday.

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He spent five seasons in L.A. before signing with New Jersey last summer as an unrestricted free agent. If that decision to sign with the Devils is ultimately the right one and the team hoists the Cup, it could be coming to Harrell's hometown.

As is tradition, each player on the Stanley Cup-winning team is allowed 24 hours to enjoy the Cup, as long as there's no damage done to hockey's holy grail. Some sleep with it. Others, such as Mario Lemieux and Patrick Roy, took it swimming (published reports say the Cup quickly landed at the bottom of their pool) or drink their favorite beverage from it like a chalice. Many take it to their hometown to enjoy it with family and friends.

"I honestly don't know," said Jim Harrold of Kirtland Hills. "My wife thinks he'll have two choices, either here or Boston. But it will be his choice."

Peter Harrold, 28, attended Hawken, which does not have a hockey program. He played three seasons for the Cleveland Junior Barons and played on several USA Select teams when an assistant coach from Boston College recruited him for the college game. From BC, he was signed by the Kings, and he played in 164 games. His best season was 2008-09, when he played in 69 games.

This season has been an up-and-down one for Harrold, who played mostly at Albany of the American Hockey League. He appeared in just 11 regular-season games for the Devils. It's been a different story in the Stanley Cup playoffs, as Harrold has already played in 14 postseason games, including a Game 6 overtime win over the Rangers to clinch the Devils' spot in the finals.

"I've never been as excited as I was in Newark (for the Game 6 win)," said Jim Harrold, who will attend Game 2 of the finals in New Jersey with his wife, Linda. "It was electric. Just an amazing night."

Peter Harrold, who replaced rookie Adam Larsson in the Rangers series, took over running the point on the power play, a critical position. He was thrilled with the opportunity.